Not ready to return to the office yet?
Key questions to ask before going back
tools for professionals and clients. Measures such as requiring face masks, distancing workstations, enhancing cleaning and disinfecting, and checking temperatures are baseline precautions. Water fountains and ice machines may be turned off.
Benton says you also should ask about the building’s features. Does it have an HVAC system that circulates air from other offices? If you need to use the elevator, what distancing protocols or additional disinfecting have been implemented? Think through the potential risks and ask how they have been mitigated.
Have scheduling changes been made?
Another way to lessen risk is to stagger scheduling so fewer people are in the office at the same time, LevinScherz says. Ask whether employees will return on staggered schedules, which can be another good way to prevent disease spread, he says. Workers may come into the office two or three days per week and work from home on other days.
Are your coworkers adhering to safety protocols?
Location, infection rate and prevailing attitudes are also important. If you live and work in an area where infection rates are low and the people in your workplace are taking precautions seriously, you may have less to fear than people in high-risk areas where social distancing and face masks are not the norm, Benton says. Again, such factors may vary significantly depending on location and company, so it’s a good idea to look into them.
What are the contingency plans if there is an infection in the office?
In some cases, even the best-laid plans may not be fail-proof. Ask your
What can you control on your own?
You also can lessen some risks on your own, Metcalf says. Bring extra masks and disinfecting wipes to work. Wear your mask and practice social distancing in the office. Avoid going to the office if you don’t feel well. Pack your own lunch. Each of these small steps can slightly reduce your risk.
And you need to think about your personal comfort level, too. Your coworkers may be happy to see you and show affection.
“Some people might just want to come in for a hug, and you may need to say, ‘Hey, sorry, I’m not there yet,’ ” Metcalf says. “It’s better to be somewhat socially awkward, and potentially even come off as a little impolite, than let your own boundaries be violated.”
Do you have alternatives if you don’t want to go back?
If you’re not convinced that the company is adhering to required safety protocols, you may have options, says Kelly Williams, founding partner and employment attorney at Slate Law Group, which provides human resource and legal services to small businesses. Each state and some cities or regions have their own reopening requirements for businesses. If they don’t, they may face consequences. “You have a right to notify them of that if they don’t remedy (their lack of adherence),” she says.
If your anxiety about the situation is interfering with your daily life or your ability to function and the company has 15 or more employees, you also may have grounds to request accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But that can be difficult to prove, Williams says. Talk to your supervisor about your concerns. If you feel they are not being taken seriously, it may be a good idea to consult an attorney versed in the reopening plans and employment laws in your state.
By gathering the facts and controlling what you can, you will be able to make the best possible choices for your situation.